What in the world is a Sone – how loud is my exhaust fan?

If you have looked into any type of ventilation products (exhaust fans, range hoods, etc.) then you have probably come across the term Sone(s). The Home  Ventilating  Institute (HVI) defines a sones this way: “In technical terms, a sone is equal in loudness to a pure 1,000 Hertz per second tone at 40 decibels above the listener's threshold of hearing. In layman's terms, one sone is equivalent to the sound of a quiet refrigerator in a quiet kitchen (source HVI).” – www.hvi.org.

The thing to consider with sones is that 2 sones is twice as loud as 1 sone, 4 sones is twice as loud as 2 sones and so forth. In exhaust fans choosing a fan with a sound rating at or below 1 sone will be very quiet. 1 to 2 sones will be heard and anything over 2.5 sones will be noticeable. Generally the sound level of the exhaust fan will be a major contributor of the cost. The quieter the fan the more expensive it will be.

The number one reason people do not use their exhaust fan is because of sound. If it is too loud it will not be turned on. If the exhaust fan isn’t being utilized, it can lead to bigger issues like mold, mildew and decreased indoor air quality. Quiet operating fans are available in all price ranges and spending a little more for a fan that will be properly used will be a wise investment. 

The sound measurement in range hoods is the same as in exhaust fans. The main difference is that range hoods typically have 2 or more speeds. You will see manufacturer’s advertising the “normal operating speed”. This is the speed setting that the hood will generally be used at. For instance, if you are using one pan on a medium setting on your cook top, you probably do not need to have the range hood set to the highest speed setting. The “normal operating speed” will probably be sufficient to properly ventilate the area. With that being said, you should pay close attention to all the sound levels of the range hood. While the high speed might be 5 or 6 sones – which would be considered high, the normal operating speed sound level might be around 1 sone, which would be considered quiet. To learn more about low sone products from Air King visit www.airkinglimited.com.

Location, Location, Location – where is the best place to install an exhaust fan?

Seems like a fairly easy question that the exhaust fan should go in the bathroom – right? The simple answer is yes, but we want to look into it a little deeper than that.

When using an exhaust fan inside a bathroom, the exact location can have a large impact on the effectiveness of the fan. For instance, in a typical bathroom, the shower is going to produce the most amount of moisture that needs to be exhausted out of the home. By placing the fan within the shower stall, you are increasing the effectiveness of the fan as the moisture can come straight up into the fan and out of the home. Conversely, if the fan is on the other side of the room, the moisture from the shower has to travel across the room and out.

CAUTION: In order for a fan to be used in the shower stall it needs to be tested and approved for this use. It needs to say something to the effect of “Approved for tub/shower use on a GFCI circuit”. The GFCI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) is a safety feature that will shut the power off if moisture causes a hazard. Fans that include a heater function should never be used inside a shower stall.

If your fan can’t be used inside the stall, it is suggested that it be installed right outside of the stall – minimizing the distance the moisture has to travel. In larger bathrooms, two fans might be necessary. One installed in the shower stall and the other installed above the toilet. Once again, the goal is to locate the fans so they are as close to the source of contamination (moisture or odor) as possible.

Exhaust fans are no longer just for the bathroom. In future post we will look at whole house ventilation as well as ventilating areas such as garages, laundry and utility rooms.

To learn more about Air King’s exhaust fans, visit www.airkinglimited.com

Wait, I have an exhaust fan in my bathroom? Are you using your bathroom exhaust fan correctly?

Hopefully you not only know you have a bathroom exhaust fan, you are also utilizing it every time the bathroom is occupied. The main function of an exhaust fan is to clear unwanted contaminates such as moisture and odors from the bathroom. For a lot of people that means that when the mirror starts to fog up, they turn the fan on and as soon as they leave the room they turn the fan off.

Unfortunately that is not utilizing your fan the way it is designed. According to the Home Ventilation Institute (HVI) the exhaust fan should run for at least 20 minutes after the shower has been used. This ensures that the proper amount of ventilation has occurred. To simplify the process there are many timer options on the market today.

For existing fans, you can simply add a timer wall switch. This can typically be done in less than an hour by a homeowner with some electrical wiring knowledge. Air King always recommends consulting a professional if you are unsure about any aspects of the installation.

If you are looking to purchase a new exhaust fan, there are many models that include motion sensors that detect when you leave the room and allow the fan to run for the preset amount of time. Both of these option simplify the process so you are not trying to figure out how long the fan has been running or need to remember to go back into the bathroom to turn the fan off. To learn more about Air King’s bathroom exhaust fans, visit www.airkinglimited.com

Do you have energy monsters in your home – Unplug unused appliances

Look around your home. They are lurking all over– Energy Monsters. Homeowners in the United States waste a considerable amount of energy and ultimately money each year on appliances and electronics that are constantly drawing energy. We refer to them as energy monsters.

Stop for a minute and think about all the electronic items you have in your house, digital clocks, appliances, phones, computers, etc. All of these items are drawing energy by just sitting there. Granted they do use considerably more energy when being used but would you keep a light on in a room you are barely using? That is basically what we are doing when we have these electronics plugged in when not in use.

Take another look around your home and ask yourself what doesn’t need to be plugged in – the clock radio in the guest room that never gets used, the TV/DVD in the basement that gets used maybe once a week, the toaster oven with the digital display? How many items can you find?

Another energy monster is an older appliance like refrigerators. Remember when you had the great idea to not be wasteful when you bought that new fridge and decided to put the old one out in the garage to use for extra storage. Well, that might not have been the best idea. Typically older refrigerators are considerably less efficient than new ones. If it feels like the fridge is running non-stop that also means the electric bill is running non-stop. The energy savings of replacing that with an ENERGY STAR certified fridge might pay for itself in less than 5 years.

Our homes are filled with opportunities to save energy. Some are bigger than others, but they all make a difference. To learn more about other helpful cost saving tips visit the climate change section at www.airkinglimited.com    

How does your attic measure up – Do you need more insulation?

For most of us the attic is a forgotten place. Its hot, dark, and there are things living up there that we probably don’t even want to know about. What most of us neglect is the importance insulation can make to the comfort of our home.

Not having enough insulation can allow the cold winter air to penetrate into the warm air of the home causing cold areas or drafts. This can be especially noticeable on the top floors of multiple story homes. The same holds true in the summer as the hot air penetrates into the living space we are trying to cool, making the HVAC system run longer. Homeowners of mulitple story houses notice this by the temperature in the upper levels being considerably higher than the temperature downstairs. These could all be signs that you need more insulation.

ENERGY STAR has put together some videos to help you determine if you need more insulation or not. As a general rule, homes in the southern states should have 13” to 14” (about a R38) of insulation. Homes in the northern states should have 16” to 18” (about a R49) of insulation. ENERGY STAR estimates that properly insulating and sealing your home can save up to 10% on your heating and cooling bills. If your total bill is $100 per month that means in a year’s time you could save up to $120.

Typically insulation does not need to be replaced so properly insulating your home now could provide many years of costs savings over the life of your home. Insulation can be one of those things you either want to do or want to have someone else do for you. If you are going to tackle the project yourself, make sure you have the proper safety equipment and know the layout of your attic.

To learn more about other helpful cost saving tips visit the climate change section at www.airkinglimited.com

The trouble with kitchen range hoods – troubleshooting your kitchen range hood

Kitchen range hoods provide a vital function to the indoor air quality of the home by exhausting contaminants produced during the cooking process out of the home. But they are only effective if they are working. There are many reasons that range hoods might start to have issues or stop functioning all together. The good news is not all of them mean you need to replace the entire range hood. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

CAUTION: Before starting any maintenance make sure the power to the hood is turned off.

If the hood has completely stopped operating: Check to see if there is power to the fan. A circuit might be tripped. Next, see if your range hood has any type of function that might automatically turn it off like a delay timer. Another cause could be the wiring was not done correctly. This usually only applies if it is a brand new installation. If after checking all of those without solving the issue, you probably need to replace the motor or entire range hood.

The range hood lights are working but the fan is not: Some range hoods (typically higher end models including many Air King models) are equipped with a replaceable safety fuse that protects the motor. A failed fuse could be the result of a power surge such as a lightening strike or could mean the motor needs to be replaced. Replace the fuse according to the instructions included in your owners manual and if it fails a second time it indicates that professional service or replacement is needed.

The range hood is working but the air is moving slower than normal: More often than not, this is because there is a build-up of dirt on the fan motor/blade, filters or an obstruction in the ducting. Common obstructions include bird’s nest in the roof or wall caps where the air is being exhausted out of the home. Removing any blockage in your ducting or cleaning the inside of the range hood and filters according to the instructions in your owner’s manual will hopefully solve the issue.

The range hood is operating louder than normal: First you will need to identify what type of noise it is making. If it sounds like it is operating normally just louder it might be because of some of the same issues described in point #2. If it is more of a rattling sound it may be because the motor has come loose. Most range hoods have a housing with the motor attached to the housing with some type of mounting bracket. Over time the screw(s) holding the motor to the housing can work themselves loose. Tightening these might solve the problem. Much in the same way, it could be that the screws or nail holding the range hood  to the cabinets or wall have worked themselves loose or the ducting has disconnected. This might be a little tricky to determine as it might mean gaining access to the interior of the hood. Other causes could be a weld has broken loose on the range hood housing. Visually inspect the hood to see if you can identify and places where the metal has separated. Unfortunately, that can’t be easily fixed and the whole range hood will need to be replaced. If you hear more of a scraping sound it is probably the fan blade hitting the housing. This can happen if the blade was damaged during cleaning or if it has worked itself loose. Check to see if you can fit the blade back onto the motor shaft. If not, you might need to replace the blade, the motor or the entire range hood depending on the extent of damage.

As always, Air King highly recommends consulting a professional for all maintenance issues. To learn more about other helpful tips visit the FAQ section at www.airkinglimited.com

The trouble with bathroom exhaust fans – troubleshooting your bathroom exhaust fan

Bathroom exhaust fans provide a vital function to the indoor air quality of the home by exhausting odors and moisture that can cause mold or mildew to grow. But they are only effective if they are working. There are many reasons that exhaust fans might start to have issues or stop functioning all together. The good news is not all of them mean you need to replace the entire fan. Here are a few troubleshooting tips:

CAUTION: Before starting any maintenance make sure the fan is turned off at the circuit board.

If the fan has completely stopped operating:

Check to see if there is power to the fan. A circuit might be tripped. Next, see if the motor plug is connected. Typically fans will have a plug running from the motor to a receptacle in the fan housing. If this has come loose, the fan will not operate. Another cause could be the wiring was not done correctly. This usually only applies if it is a brand new installation. If after checking all of those without solving the issue, you probably need to replace the motor or entire fan.

The fan is working but the air is moving slower than normal: More often than not, this is because there is a build-up of dirt on the fan motor/blade or an obstruction in the ducting. Common obstructions include bird’s nest in the roof or wall caps where the air is being exhausted out of the home. Removing any blockage in your ducting or cleaning the inside of the fan according to the instructions in your owner’s manual will hopefully solve the issue.

The fan is operating louder than normal: First you will need to identify what type of noise it is making. If it sounds like it is operating normally just louder it might be because of some of the same issues described above in the air is moving slower than normal.

If it is more of a rattling sound it may be because the motor has come loose. Most exhaust fans have a housing with the motor attached to the housing with some type of mounting bracket. Over time the screw(s) holding the motor to the housing can work themselves loose. Tightening these might solve the problem.

Much in the same way, it could be that the screws or nails holding the fan to the joists have worked themselves loose or the ducting has disconnected. If you have access to the fan from above, this can be easily checked and corrected.

Other causes could be a weld has broken loose on the fan housing. Unfortunately, that can’t be easily fixed and the whole fan will need to be replaced. If you hear more of a scraping sound it is probably the fan blade hitting the fan housing. This can happen if the blade was damaged during cleaning or if it has worked itself loose. Check to see if you can fit the blade back onto the motor shaft. If not, you might need to replace the blade, the motor or the entire fan depending on the extent of damage.

As always, Air King highly recommends consulting a professional for all maintenance issues. To learn more about other helpful tips visit the FAQ section at www.airkinglimited.com